The organisation has welcomed her comments made during a three-day education Lekgotla in Centurion last week.

Section 27's Kate Paterson says Motshekga appears to have shown the political will to improve standards.

"What we're hoping is that in the next two years, because this is likely to be her last term as the minister of education, is that she'll be brave. That is exactly what she is being now. It is a very good start in 2016 in light of the crisis of the matric results."